Several options were presented for the council to consider. These included spending $180,000 to plaster and paint to get the pool open for this summer, spending $650,000 on a more comprehensive re-modelling that would have the pool lined and the children's wading pool reinstated, or spending $1.6 million on a "bells and whistles" overhaul.
A public meeting was held this month and the community invited to send in feedback on their preferences, with about 40 submissions received.
Waipawa-based councillor Tim Chote said one of the main messages from the meeting was that people wanted a permanent solution, and he asked if other councillors had an appetite for this.
All the committee members agreed they wanted a long-term fix, but noted the matter would still have to go through LTP public consultation.
Asked how long it may take to get the pool up and running if the $650,000 was included in the draft LTP, chief executive Monique Davidson said if it was approved and some creative procurement processes put in place, it could potentially open next summer.
Although closed this summer, ideas such as installing a temporary pool, or providing transport to the AW Parsons Pool in Waipukurau three days a week had been proposed.
About 20 people, including children, attended the meeting. Committee chairman Ian Sharp encouraged them and others across Central Hawke's Bay to make submissions supporting re-opening the pool to the LTP next year "because there will be differing views".
There would also be opportunities for people to put forward ideas on what they wanted the re-development of the facility to include.
The recommendation to set aside the $650,000 would now go the next full council meeting for adoption.
